Thread: Grounds Guys Franchise

So, just looked at your FB page quickly and see your cover pics and coupons are geared towards residential services.

Any franchise that doesn't keep you out of residential mowing is just playing you for... Besides, what systems do you need that you have to pay for to perform residential services? If you're trying to build a long term successful management business, it won't be done doing residential accounts. Any franchise that tells you otherwise isn't in your corner.Posted via Mobile Device

Hey Efficiency,

Not trying to "come against you" as I constantly look through threads to read what you have posted.

But...and this might be an "off" comparison being it's snow...but Neige on Plowsite owns a snow removal business where they were, I believe, initially a snow only business for just residential driveways. More recently they moved into commercial; but it served the company well for a lot of years! He took it over from his father...but residential is where they have been the most consistent. I think his residential base gross's over 800K in snow removal.

So yes; we're talking lawns vs snow...very different, still the same model, residential.

For my business; our residentials have been more consistent. But I'll defer to you sir; you've been in business longer than I...and again, I value your input.

Not trying to "come against you" as I constantly look through threads to read what you have posted.

But...and this might be an "off" comparison being it's snow...but Neige on Plowsite owns a snow removal business where they were, I believe, initially a snow only business for just residential driveways. More recently they moved into commercial; but it served the company well for a lot of years! He took it over from his father...but residential is where they have been the most consistent. I think his residential base gross's over 800K in snow removal.

So yes; we're talking lawns vs snow...very different, still the same model, residential.

For my business; our residentials have been more consistent. But I'll defer to you sir; you've been in business longer than I...and again, I value your input.

Believe it or not, Paul was at my shop 2 or 3 weeks ago. We talked and laughed over dinner too. Pretty sure we are going to be a dealer for him and Metal Plessis.

We do large snow numbers too.

But there are HUGE differences between the management of snow vs summer mowing work on a large scale for small accounts.

For Paul and driveway snow, the guys do their route and it's very binary - the work was done or not.

With mowing, you've got no prayer keeping thousands of mowing accounts happy. How many account managers would you need to maintain relationships with all mowing clients and do quality control on a monthly basis? Again, all of that isn't necessary for his snow accounts.

Why you need commercial accounts for maintenance? We picked up ~$200k of maintenance for one property manager last fall. One friend to keep, one point of contact, one boss to report to. Sure, if you can't meet expectations, you've got bug problems but if that's the case, you shouldnt be chasing this work.

Again, all this applied to employee ran crews. An owner on site changes all this.Posted via Mobile Device

First to hear you say they are joke makes me wonder if you tried to become one and got turned down. unfortunately not everyone can become a Grounds Guys franchise owner. There is certain criteria you have to meet. i went to Waco with my wife to check them out. Class act bunch of people who also own and sale 6 other franchises in the service industry. The one i recognized right off was The Glass Doctor.Anyway we stayed in touch and went over our business plans and decided to buy a franchise. Me being a firefighter I got a pretty good discount off the price of my franchise. We were somewhere around #82 franchise. There are around 165 franchises now. We started April 1st 2013 as The Grounds Guys of the tri-cities. We grew our business with the Grounds Guys help to more than double. So far in 2014 we have doubled that number already. Someone asked do they get you customers? Yep. Do they help you grow your business? Yep. They have systems and they have people with knowledge of the industry guiding and helping you in every way possible to help you succeed. Is it guaranteed your going to make it and not fail? NOPE! You have to do your part too. Is it stress full? HELL YES! but owning any business is stressful at times. Are you going to see eye to eye with your franchise consultant all the time ? NOPE. Its not for everyone but it has helped me with many different aspects of the business. There are so many people out there not making a dime doing this business. The Grounds Guys have taught me about setting goals, getting my numbers where they need to be, profit and loss statements, advertising for results, etc,etc,. I have a legit business now that is growing very fast and I am learning something new just about daily about this business. I have access to 165 other business owners just like me who have a wealth of business and field knowledge. I get national pricing on John deere,Exmark,Redmax, etc. that comes to about 45% off mowing equipment. A lot more that fleet pricing. I have access to vendors who offer services like payroll, workman's comp, ALOT cheaper than I could ever get it by myself. There are so many vendors that offer me discounts just because I am a Grounds Guy franchise owner. Great gig cant wait to get out in the field tomorrow!

I can say this, last year, or a couple of years ago I saw a big giant enclosed trailerand decent truck decked out in "grounds guys" logo and thought to myself "oh no" because I've been on the site, and heard about these big giant franchises like grounds guys – Breckman – US lawns etc.… Taking over areas.

for a short period of time I saw them around and then all of a sudden I didn't see them anymore.
The other day I gave an estimate to a lady with a real PITA place with everything dead, overgrown blackberries- bamboo- etc....
I figured it would take 3 guys a full day plus hauling.
She said the "Grounds guys" did it last time for $240! ( no wonder they're no longer around)

I found out it was a Latino family- just a guy his wife etc..

I wonder what assistance the corp. gives on pricing, advertising, etc....

LMAO Yeah by looking at your previous posts and threads on here you seem to be a very positive guy who knows everything about the business. With all those years of experience you have you might think about writing a book about how to start and run a sccessful lawncare company.